RARE EARLY 1940s SERRE CHEVALIER SKI RESORT ENAMEL BADGE EAGLE FRANCE

Rare early vintage enamel badge from the famous Serre Chevalier ski resort in the French Alps.

The badge features the historic Serre Chevalier eagle with outstretched wings, a pale blue enamel sky, snow-covered Alpine peaks and what appears to be the original Chantemerle cable-car route.

Serre Chevalier was established in 1941 following the inauguration of the Chantemerle–Serre Chevalier cable car on 21 December 1941. The prominent representation of this historic cable car, together with the early naturalistic eagle emblem, traditional fired enamel and old-style long pin construction, suggests that this may be the first or one of the earliest Serre Chevalier badge designs.

Estimated period: circa 1941–1950.

Details:

• Origin: Serre Chevalier, Hautes-Alpes, France
• Type: Ski resort / Alpine tourism badge
• Material: Gold-tone metal with multicoloured fired enamel
• Design: Historic eagle, mountains and cable-car route
• Dimensions: approximately 3.7 × 4.4 cm
• Fastening: Original-style long horizontal pin
• Period: circa 1940s

Condition:

Authentic vintage condition with age-related surface wear, light scratches, patina and small marks. A circular grey area is visible on the reverse and may be the remains of an old repair or attachment. The fastening pin is present. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.

An uncommon and historically interesting piece of early French skiing memorabilia, particularly desirable for collectors of Alpine badges, ski resort souvenirs and Serre Chevalier history.

The identification and dating are based on the badge’s imagery, construction and the documented history of the resort; no maker’s mark or original documentation is present.